# US 11,306,532 B2 · Multi-zone EC windows > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,532 B2 - Document ID: US11306532B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/388,743 - Filed: 2019-04-18 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-13 - Assignees: View, Inc. - Applicants: View, Inc. - Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava; Robin Friedman; Vinod Khosla; Rao Mulpuri - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306532B2 ## CPC - G02F 1/153: Constructional details - B23K 26/359: by providing a line or line pattern, e.g. a dotted break initiation line - E06B 3/6715: {specially adapted for increased thermal insulation or for controlled passage of light (E06B3/66323 takes precedence; coating of glass pains C03C17/00; devices or arrangements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light G02F1/00)} - E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light} - E06B 9/24: Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) - G02F 1/1533: {structural features not otherwise provided for} - G09F 23/02: the advertising matter being displayed by the operation of the article - E06B 2009/2405: {Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control} - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - G09F 19/227: {on windows} - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Thin-film devices, for example, multi-zone electrochromic windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. In certain cases, a multi-zone electrochromic window comprises a monolithic EC device on a transparent substrate and two or more tinting zones, wherein the tinting zones are configured for independent operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrochromic window comprising: an EC device disposed on a transparent substrate, the EC device comprising a first transparent conducting oxide (TCO) and a second TCO; and a pair of bus bars coupled to the first and second TCOs and disposed continuously along opposing edges of the electrochromic device, wherein each bus bar is configured to generate and maintain a voltage drop along the bus bar's length when voltage is applied, so that the electrochromic window maintains a tint gradient along its length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage drop is achieved by varying thickness or width along the length of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage drop is achieved by varying composition along the length of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage drop is achieved by varying resistivity along the length of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrochromic window of claim 4, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises two portions of an electrically conductive material, and an electrically resistive material establishing electrical communication between the two portions of the electrically conductive material, the electrically resistive material, although electrically conductive, having less electrical conductivity than the electrically conductive material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrochromic window of claim 5, wherein the electrically conductive material is a silver based ink. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The electrochromic window of claim 5, wherein the electrically resistive material is a silver based ink. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage drop is achieved by varying cross-sectional area along the length of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage drop is achieved by varying morphology along the length of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein voltage is applied at one or both ends of each of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein voltage is applied at more than one point along at least one of the pair of bus bars. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrochromic window of claim 11, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises a pair of power leads. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrochromic window of claim 12, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars is configured to be powered by a first voltage at one power lead and by a second voltage at the other power lead. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises a material having regions of higher and lower electrical conductivity, wherein the regions of lower electrical conductivity are areas where the material is perforated.